Originally from India, I came to the US to pursue a doctorate in economics at the University of Chicago. After completing my doctorate, I worked for over two decades, initially as an assistant professor of economics at Penn State University for 3-4 years before moving to international development at the World Bank. Most recently, I worked as Lead Consultant at the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education. After my two children grew up, I decided to return to school to pursue my research interests in the emotional and mental wellbeing aspects of human development and their intersections with economics and education. Outside of work, I like spending time with family and friends, enjoy plants and coming up with easy vegan recipes."